Subregion: La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
It may be a hard name to pronounce, but it’s a joy to visit! La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (or simply "La Cruz"), a mere half hour north of the bustle of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, offers a restful alternative to the glitz of Vallarta and a glimpse of a typical fishing village, with its fair share of good restaurants (thanks to the demand of many boating cruisers who dock in the marina or anchor just outside), fun shopping, and a vibrant music scene.
In La Cruz, cobblestone streets shaded by large trees lead to the charming town square alongside a tranquil waterfront, where local fishermen mend their nets and tend their pangas, rubbing elbows with a recently-constructed world-class marina with slips for 400 boats, a seaside promenade, repair shop, outdoor theater, restaurants and more.
Life in this rustic fishing village still meanders at a leisurely mañana pace. Still small-town Mexico to be sure, but with the marina and related amenities, along with luxurious residential communities that are springing up around La Cruz, the town increasingly caters to North Americans who have already discovered it. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, also has some excellent restaurants to select from.